What You Need to Know About Dermal Fillers
As time passes, our skin naturally loses volume and elasticity, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging. Fortunately, modern aesthetic treatments offer a way to restore lost volume and enhance facial contours without surgery. As specialists in cosmetic treatments, our expert injectors at Point of View Medical Aesthetics in Calgary have helped countless patients achieve a naturally refreshed look with these minimally invasive procedures.
If you’re considering fillers but aren’t sure what to expect, this guide will walk you through everything from preparation to results and aftercare.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like substances that work wonders for restoring lost facial volume and smoothing wrinkles. The most common type contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in your skin that keeps it hydrated and volumized. As we age, our natural HA diminishes, causing our skin to lose that youthful plumpness.
When skillfully injected beneath the skin, these fillers instantly add volume, effectively plumping up wrinkles, softening creases, and reshaping areas like lips or cheeks. What’s remarkable is that you’ll see immediate results, which continue to improve over the following days as the filler settles into place.
Most hyaluronic acid fillers last between 6 and 12 months before being gradually and safely absorbed by your body. Some specialized fillers, like those containing poly-L-lactic acid, go beyond simple volume replacement by stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production for longer-lasting results.
How Fillers Transform Your Appearance
Under-Eye Rejuvenation
Do people often ask if you’re tired, even when you’re well-rested? Dark circles and hollow areas under the eyes can make you appear exhausted. Under-eye fillers (often called tear-trough injections) can dramatically reduce these concerns by filling the hollows and creating a smoother transition between your cheeks and under-eye area. The result? A refreshed, alert appearance that truly reflects how you feel inside.
Lip Enhancement
Full, well-defined lips are often associated with youthfulness and vitality. Whether you’ve always had naturally thin lips or have noticed them thinning with age, lip fillers can create subtle yet noticeable improvements. Our skilled injectors carefully place small amounts of hyaluronic acid gel to add volume, improve symmetry, and soften vertical “smoker’s lines” around the mouth. The goal isn’t to create obviously enhanced lips but rather to restore or create natural-looking fullness that complements your facial features.
Sculpt Your Chin and Jawline
A well-defined jawline and balanced chin create harmony throughout your entire face. Whether you’ve always had a slightly recessed chin, asymmetry, or have noticed age-related changes in your lower face contours, strategic filler placement can create remarkable improvements without surgery. By precisely injecting filler along the jawline and chin, our specialists can create more definition, improve facial proportions, and even create the appearance of a slimmer face. This treatment is particularly popular among both men and women looking to strengthen their profile without the permanence or recovery time of surgical implants. Many patients are amazed at how such subtle enhancements to the lower face can dramatically improve their overall appearance.
Restore Youthful Cheeks
The cheeks are often called the “apples” of the face for good reason—they bring life, dimension, and youthfulness to your appearance. As we age, natural fat pads in the mid-face diminish and descend, leaving cheeks looking flat or hollow and contributing to sagging in the lower face. Cheek fillers (sometimes called “liquid cheek lifts”) restore that lost volume, subtly lifting the entire face for a refreshed look. Our specialists carefully layer filler in the mid-face region to enhance your natural cheekbone structure, improve facial balance, and create a gentle lifting effect that can minimize nasolabial folds. The treatment can be as subtle or defined as you prefer—from a soft, natural fullness to more sculpted, pronounced cheekbones. Patients are consistently delighted by how this strategic enhancement to the mid-face creates a more youthful appearance without looking “done” or unnatural.
The beauty of dermal fillers lies in their versatility. By strategically treating specific areas, we can rejuvenate your appearance while preserving your natural look. Each treatment is completely customized to your unique facial structure and aesthetic goals.
The Hyaluronic Acid Advantage
At our Calgary aesthetics clinic, we primarily use hyaluronic acid fillers because of their outstanding safety profile and natural-looking results. HA is a naturally occurring polysaccharide in your skin that holds moisture. It’s biocompatible, poses minimal allergy risk, and provides immediate plumping effects.
Medical research consistently shows that HA fillers effectively restore volume lost due to aging, with the added benefits of rapid recovery, predictable results, and immediate improvement. Most results last approximately 6–18 months, though some can last up to 18 months, particularly in areas with less movement.
Another significant advantage of HA fillers is reversibility. In the rare event that you’re unhappy with the results or experience complications, these fillers can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
What to Expect During Your Filler Appointment
A typical appointment at POV Medical Aesthetics in Calgary takes about 30–60 minutes from start to finish. Here’s what you can expect:
- Preparation: We’ll thoroughly cleanse your skin and may apply a topical numbing cream or nerve block for your comfort.
- Treatment: Most modern HA fillers contain lidocaine, which further reduces discomfort during injection. You’ll feel a few small needle pinches, but most patients find the process quite tolerable. Our skilled injectors place tiny amounts of filler precisely where needed, often requiring multiple small injections to achieve smooth, even results.
- Finishing Touches: After placement, we gently clean the treatment area again and check for symmetry before sending you on your way.
Recovery and Results
One of the greatest benefits of dermal fillers is the minimal downtime. Most patients return to their regular activities immediately after treatment. In the first 24–48 hours, it’s normal to experience some mild swelling, redness, and possibly slight bruising at the injection sites. These temporary effects typically fade within a few days.
To optimize your healing process, we recommend:
- Avoiding strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours
- Keeping your head elevated and avoiding pressure on treated areas
- Skipping alcohol and limiting salt intake for a day to minimize swelling
- Applying a cold compress if you experience any swelling or discomfort
You’ll notice immediate improvement right after your treatment, but the full effect develops over 1–2 weeks as any swelling subsides and the filler integrates with your tissues. For most fillers, results last 6–18 months before a touch-up treatment is recommended.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
When performed by experienced medical professionals, dermal fillers have an excellent safety record. Common minor side effects include temporary bruising, redness, swelling, itching, or tenderness at injection sites. These typically resolve within a week or less without intervention.
In extremely rare cases, a filler can unintentionally block a blood vessel, potentially leading to more serious complications affecting the skin or even vision. This underscores the importance of choosing a qualified, licensed injector with thorough knowledge of facial anatomy and potential complications.
At POV Medical Aesthetics, our entire aesthetic injection team are registered nurses who specialize in facial injections. We use only sterile, approved products and continuously update our practices based on the latest safety guidelines. Additionally, we have a Medical Director on-call to help address any concerns.
Why Choose Professional Treatment
For Calgary residents considering dermal fillers, choosing the right provider is crucial. At Point Of View Medical Aesthetics, our reputation is built on experience and personalized care. Our injectors have extensive, continuous training in cosmetic injectables and a proven track record of satisfied clients.
We take time to understand each client’s unique goals and facial structure, tailoring every aesthetic treatment for natural, balanced results. Our clinic maintains medical-grade standards in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Education is also a priority: before your appointment, we thoroughly review your health history and explain the procedure, potential risks, and alternatives. This comprehensive approach ensures you make informed decisions about your aesthetic care.
Conclusion
Dermal fillers offer a remarkable way to refresh your appearance without surgery or extended downtime. When performed by skilled professionals using quality products, these treatments can provide natural-looking enhancement that helps you look as vibrant as you feel.
Whether you’re concerned about volume loss, fine lines, or facial contours, a personalized filler treatment plan can address your specific concerns while preserving your natural expressions and unique beauty. Contact our Calgary clinic Point Of View Medical Aesthetics to discover how dermal fillers might be the refreshing solution you’ve been looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dermal fillers safe?
When administered by qualified providers like those at Point Of View Medical Aesthetics, dermal fillers have an outstanding safety profile. Most side effects are minor (bruising, swelling, redness) and temporary. Serious complications are extremely rare when treatments are performed by skilled injectors in a clinical setting.
Always disclose your complete medical history and any allergies before treatment. Fillers are typically not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you have active skin infections, certain autoimmune conditions, bleeding disorders, or allergies to filler ingredients.
Does the procedure hurt?
Most patients find filler treatments very tolerable. Modern hyaluronic acid fillers contain lidocaine (a numbing medicine) to enhance comfort during injection. We also use topical numbing cream or cold packs for sensitive patients.
You may feel slight pinching or pressure during each injection, but the process is quick. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is compared to their expectations.
How long do results last?
With hyaluronic acid fillers, results typically last about 6–12 months. Some thicker formulations or treatments in areas with less movement (like cheeks) can last up to 18 months.
Individual factors like metabolism, activity level, and lifestyle choices (such as smoking) can affect longevity. We typically schedule follow-up visits so you can maintain your results with touch-up treatments before the filler completely dissipates.
What happens after treatment?
You’ll notice an immediate difference as soon as your injections are complete. Some mild swelling or bruising is normal and often peaks within the first 24 hours before gradually subsiding. Cold compresses can help reduce these effects.
For optimal results, we recommend avoiding intense physical activity, alcohol consumption, and excessive heat exposure for about 24 hours after treatment. Most people return to work or social activities immediately. Your final look will develop over the next 1–2 weeks as any swelling resolves completely.
What if I don't like the results?
One significant advantage of hyaluronic acid fillers is their adjustability. If you’re unhappy with any aspect of your results, we can massage the area to refine the shape or inject a small amount of hyaluronidase to dissolve excess filler.
This is rarely necessary with our meticulous technique, but it’s reassuring to know that adjustments are possible. Additionally, since HA fillers naturally break down over time, results are not permanent.
How are fillers different from Botox?
Fillers and Botox address aging through different mechanisms. Fillers physically restore volume to smooth static lines and enhance features, while Botox relaxes muscles to soften dynamic wrinkles (like forehead lines or crow’s feet).
Many patients benefit from combining both treatments for comprehensive rejuvenation. During your consultation, we’ll recommend the optimal approach based on your specific concerns and goals.
How much do fillers cost?
The cost of filler treatments varies depending on the type of filler used and the amount required to achieve your desired results. We provide detailed pricing information during your consultation after assessing your needs.
Consider the investment in terms of quality and safety – skilled injectors using premium products deliver superior results with fewer complications. Many clinics offer financing options to make treatments more accessible.
How do I find a qualified injector?
You can read more on our thoughts here: The Importance of Consulting with Qualified Aesthetic Professionals
Always choose a licensed medical professional (physician, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse) with specialized training in aesthetic injections. Look for providers with extensive experience, ongoing education in advanced techniques, and a portfolio of satisfied patients.
At POV Medical Aesthetics, our certified injectors regularly update their skills through continuing education to ensure you receive the safest, most effective treatment possible.
References
- Health Canada – Cosmetic Injections:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/medical-procedures/cosmetic-injections.html - Health Canada – Injectable Cosmetic Treatments:
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/sc-hc/H13-7-90-2010-eng.pdf - American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) – Dermal Fillers:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers - National Library of Medicine – Hyaluronic Acid:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/ - American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) – Injectable Dermal Fillers Guide:
https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/non-surgical/injectable-fillers-guide/ - Point Of View Medical Aesthetics – The Importance of Consulting with Qualified Aesthetic Professionals: https://povclinic.com/the-importance-of-consulting-with-qualified-aesthetic-professionals/
- Point Of View Medical Aesthetics – Dermal Filler:
https://povclinic.com/service/dermal-filler-calgary/